Former Century Correctional Officer Sentenced For Stealing Drugs From Evidence Locker

August 24, 2018

A former correctional officer has been sentenced for stealing drugs from the work camp at Century Correctional Institution.

Joshua Vann Harrell, 26, pleaded no contest  to grand theft of a controlled substance and destroying evidence.  He was sentenced to five days in the county jail and 36 months probation for stealing “K2″ synthetic marijuana  from an evidence locker.

Officers reported finding a chain of custody form on the seat of the post vehicle used by Harrell, and they reported finding an evidence bag on top of a trash can located along the perimeter road. The same day, another officer reported observing Harrell “wobble into the restroom” and become sick multiple times.

According to court documents, investigators determined that “K-2″ taken from an inmate was missing from the evidence locker.

Harrell resigned from his position, according to Patrick Manderfield, press secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections.

NorthEscambia.com file photo.

Comments

21 Responses to “Former Century Correctional Officer Sentenced For Stealing Drugs From Evidence Locker”

  1. Truth on August 27th, 2018 12:09 am

    I worked with the man and he made a mistake . I’m not going to cast the first stone. Keep your head up buddy.

  2. gmp on August 26th, 2018 12:42 am

    I agree 5 days in jail is a odd probably to light of a sentence, but he also got 3 years of probation. Probation is tough to do, a lot of criminals are offered probation and ask for jail or prison time instead because they don’t want to do probation.

  3. Stop the Madness on August 25th, 2018 10:26 am

    I’m with Ben! He’s stealing items someone is spending time in prison for and all he gets is 5 days? Talking about different strokes for different folks! When those who’ve been placed in authority over others to enforce the law, they should be held to a higher standard and sentenced just like any other person who breaks the law! How many other times have he done this and not get caught until now?????
    Ellen you commented:”He made a mistake and has suffered the consequences! He has got his life on the right track now and has been doing great for a year. We need to pray for him and his family instead of stomping on him”.
    Ellen,please tell me, just when do we start applying this to the countless other people who are currently incarcerated for stealing, selling drugs to “voluntary” customers, etc?

  4. Gary on August 25th, 2018 5:55 am

    A five day sentence is unbelievable. Theft of a controlled substance as a so called correctional officer should have sent him off for a long time. Welcome to Century.

  5. Shannon on August 24th, 2018 11:11 pm

    Did I really just read 5 days?

  6. ben on August 24th, 2018 10:10 pm

    IS HE STEELING ITEMS THAT SOME ONE IS IN PRISON FOR?

  7. Trocarman on August 24th, 2018 7:15 pm

    5 days in jail? What a joke.

  8. db on August 24th, 2018 5:17 pm

    **”He made a mistake and has suffered the consequences! He has got his life on the right track now and has been doing great for a year. We need to pray for him and his family instead of stomping on him.”
    ***
    What he did was not a mistake, he chose to do it.
    Enough with trying to minimize his actions. He knew what he was doing.
    Nobody is stomping on him, just holding him accountable, just like anyone else.
    He’s not special.
    He committed a crime, he has to wear “the scarlet letter” for awhile, that’s how it works when you break the law.

  9. Rafael on August 24th, 2018 3:30 pm

    We all make mistakes. Some just pay more for theirs than others.

  10. Former CO on August 24th, 2018 3:17 pm

    It’s hard enough trying to police the inmates assigned to a prison. Not enough “Good” staff to police the bad staff and the inmates. Just another black eye for all the good staff.

  11. Citizen on August 24th, 2018 2:31 pm

    Mike, his life isn’t poisoned. This is a prime example of someone who has turned their life around after making a dumb choice. He’s doing great, his life is heading in a positive direction, and he won’t let this get him down. He made the mistake, he paid for it, and his life is better for it.

  12. 5 Days on August 24th, 2018 1:14 pm

    5 Days is s stupid sentence. Sentence him to just probation. 5 days does nothing.

    Congratulations Josh on having friends to post nice things about you.

  13. Grand Locust on August 24th, 2018 12:54 pm

    Why only 5 days?

    Because a Judge was looking out for taxpayers. This man lost his vocation for a stupid act. He is not a violent man and the community will not be at risk by him walking the street. Now if he went to Jail for longer, somebody violent and dangerous would be released…….thumbs up to the judge.

  14. jim leath on August 24th, 2018 12:00 pm

    Hang in there young man. Just a little thought for today. Cherish today/dream of tomorrow/ live for today. you have been able to move forward. Take care.

  15. Ellen on August 24th, 2018 11:08 am

    He made a mistake and has suffered the consequences! He has got his life on the right track now and has been doing great for a year. We need to pray for him and his family instead of stomping on him.

  16. Oddball on August 24th, 2018 11:02 am

    I’m like Caitlin dont understand…..

    Why only 5 days.

  17. db on August 24th, 2018 10:51 am

    Why is it posted “so many times”
    When he got nicked, and follow up when he got sentenced.
    Just can’t sweep it under the rug like you want. Too bad.

  18. Resident on August 24th, 2018 10:45 am

    >>I do not understand why this story has to be posted so many times

    It was posted when he was arrested = news

    It became a new story when he was sentenced = news

  19. Caitlin L. on August 24th, 2018 9:31 am

    I do not understand why this story has to be posted so many times, he is doing great stop continuing to run him into the ground. He knows he screwed up, he got help, leave him alone!

  20. Friend on August 24th, 2018 7:07 am

    And he’s doing great now. Congratulations, Josh, on facing your demons and becoming a better man. He has a great job and has been clean for almost a year.

  21. mike on August 24th, 2018 3:44 am

    what a shame, poisoned his body and his life. :(